1988 Mazda RX-7 Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 134,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 1.3L 2-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Mazda RX-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mazda RX-7. The part named most often is fuel system, with 13 complaints (54% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine cooling (4). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 134,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 12 a fire, 1 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system13 54%
- Electrical system4 17%
- Engine cooling4 17%
- Seat belts1 4.2%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.2%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I have just had a fuel pulsation dampener on my 1988 Mazda RX-7. I have also had the same failure on my 1994 Mazda RX-7. The engine bay smells of fuel and I can see fuel spilling out. From what I understand this is very common and has caused many engine fires. I am currently very concerned for my saftey and my 1988 RX-7 is my daily transportation. Now I must fear engine fire possibility.”
NHTSA complaint #10078660, filed 2004-06, 30 milesElectrical system: “While driving down the street vehicle caught on fire and burned. There was no indication that vehicle was burning until another person caught up with consumer and told him that there was fire under vehicle. He stopped and put the fire out. Then, fire department was called. Consumer called the manufacturer and found out that there was no recall on this vehicle. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealer, who told him that this was a common problem with mazdas rx7.”
NHTSA complaint #10091987, filed 2004-09Engine cooling: “The problem I had, with the fuel pulsation damper, is an extremely serious and hazardous situation. Located on top of the upper intake, there is a screw that will back itself out that seals the pulsation damper closed. When this screw backs out, a strong gasoline smell is noticed in the engine bay and inside the vehicle. On turbocharged cars, the pulsation damper is located directly over the exhaust manifold...this is not good! Especially for a design that seems to back itself out over time. …”
NHTSA complaint #722953, filed 2000-05Seat belts: “Seat belt on the passenger's side will not come out of the retractor. Sometimes the seat belt on the driver's side will lock and sometimes it will not. Dealer is aware of situation. The seat belts have not been corrected at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #832238, filed 1998-12Mileage when problems were reported
14% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 92,000 and 135,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Mazda RX-7 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX-7 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| RX-7 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| RX-7 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Mazda RX-7 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Mazda RX-7.
Other model years of the Mazda RX-7
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 18 | 98,000 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 82 | 51,976 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 22 | 127,940 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 1990 | 28 | 81,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 30 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 24 | 134,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 51 | 145,550 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 11 | 117,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Mazda RX-7 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Mazda RX-7 have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mazda RX-7 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Mazda RX-7 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 13 complaints (54% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 1988 Mazda RX-7 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Mazda RX-7 get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Mazda RX-7 (RX-7, 1.3L 2-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Mazda RX-7 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 134,000 miles and the middle half falls between 92,000 and 135,000 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.